At a rally in Portland's Unthank Park, demonstrators fly a "Free Palestine" flag and a banner for the Democratic Socialists of America. The Oct. 5 event was in advance of the one year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. The demonstration voiced support for Palestinians in the wake of Israel's nearly year-long military assault on Gaza, in response to the Hamas attack.
Lillian Karabaic / OPB
Groups met over the weekend in Portland ahead of Monday’s marking of a year since the Hamas attack on Israel. The Oct. 7 attack killed 1,200 people in Israel and included the kidnapping of about 250. Shortly after Hamas attacked, Israel responded with what has become a yearlong military assault, with tens of thousands killed and vast sections of Gaza in rubble.
Demonstrations are expected across the country Monday, including in Oregon.
At events this weekend, a few hundred Portland demonstrators listened to speakers and chanted their opposition to the deadly violence continuing in the Middle East. About 400 people gathered at Unthank Park in North Portland, chanting “Free Palestine” and voicing their opposition to U.S. support for Israel’s ongoing military assault. The event, identified as “One year of genocide, one year of resistance,” was organized by the Democratic Socialists of America of Portland.
On Sunday, organizers with Jewish Voice for Peace estimated about 125 people gathered at Portland’s Waterfront Park. In a written statement, the group called the event a “ritual action casting off Oregon’s support for the Israeli military.”
On Monday morning, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, visited the Oregon Jewish Museum to mark the anniversary of the Hamas attack against Israel. He warned of the “brink” the Jewish state is “teetering” on, facing renewed threats from Hezbollah and its backers, in Iran. Wyden said he would continually push for the safe return of hostages who have been held by Hamas in Palestine for a year.
“I’m going to work as hard as I can for peace, so that Jewish parents and Palestinian parents alike can live without fear for their children and families,” Wyden said.
Further demonstrations are expected Monday, particularly on college campuses, including at Portland State University, Reed College and University of Oregon.
Previous campus protests led to disruptions across the country, including violent clashes involving protesters, counter-protesters and law enforcement on some campuses. At Portland State, demonstrators occupied the Branford Price Millar Library for several days, where they vandalized walls and damaged university property. The occupation resulted in dozens of arrests, and the library being closed for months.